Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 25th, 2019 8:00AM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs.
andrew jones,
Parks Canada
A weak surface hoar layer can be triggered by skiers and riders in areas where the storm snow has formed a slab. When uncertainty is present, choose conservative terrain.
Summary
Weather Forecast
A high pressure system brings stable weather conditions today with mostly sun with the occasional cloud. No precipitation is expected as alpine temperatures reach a high of -10 C and freezing levels stay below valley bottom. Winds will be light from the NW. High pressure is expected to last through to the end of the week.
Snowpack Summary
The top 50cm is forming into soft slabs especially near ridge crests. A new surface crust exists on steep solar aspects. The Dec 11th SH (5-12mm) is well preserved and is now down 90-120cm. The Nov 23 SH/Cr is down 160-185cm. Early season crusts still persist in the lower snowpack.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were observed yesterday.
Confidence
Problems
Persistent Slabs
Last weekend's storm saw huge avalanches running on the December 11th surface hoar. As the storm snow morphs into slabs, this layer gets re-primed. A 100cm slab atop well-preserved large surface hoar is a recipe for HUMAN TRIGGERED avalanches.
- Be wary of slopes that did not previously avalanche.
- Use conservative route selection, stick to supported terrain features, avoid overhead hazards.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 26th, 2019 8:00AM
